626 LITERATURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING. , 



native element, to drag out a pitiable existence, but leave him 

 where he lies, to die he is dead already 



" * For he is old, and miserably poor.' 



Two dozen in two hours we call fair sport, and we think they will 

 average not less, Proctor, than a pound. Lascelles and North 

 against any two in England ! We beseech you only look at 

 yonder noses, thick as frogs, as pow heads ! There, that was 

 lightly dropped among them, each fatal feather seeming to melt 

 on the water like a snowflake. We have done the deed, Proctor ; 

 we have done the deed. We feel that we have five. Observe 

 how they will come to light in succession, a size larger and larger, 

 with a monster at the tail fly. Even so. To explain the reason 

 why would perplex a Master of Arts. Five seem about fifty, 

 when all dancing about together in an irregular figure ; but they 

 have sorely ravelled our gear. It matters not, for it must be 

 wearing well towards eight o'clock, and we dine at sunset." 



And yet a few lines more 



" Whirr, whirr, whirr ! SALMO FEROX, as sure as a gun ! The 

 maddened monster has already run out ten fathoms of chain 

 cable. His spring is not so sinewy as a salmon's of the same 

 size ; but his rush is more tremendous, and he dives like one of 

 the damned in Michael Angelo's 'Last Judgment.' All the 

 twelve barbs are gorged, and not but with the loss of his torn-out 

 entrails can he escape death. Give us an oar, or he will break 

 the rope. There, we follow him at equal speed, sternmost ; but 

 canny canny ! for if the devil doubles upon us he may play mis- 

 chief yet, by getting under our keel. That is noble ! There he 

 sails, some twenty fathoms off, parallel to our pinnace, at the rate 

 of six knots, and bearing for we are giving him the butt right 

 down upon the Laracha Ban, as if towards spawning ground, in 

 the genial month of August ; but never again shall he enjoy his 

 love. See I he turns up a side like a house. Ay, that is indeed 

 a most commodious landing place, and ere he is aware of water 

 too shallow to hide his back fin, will be whallopping upon the 

 yellow sand." 



